How to Care for 30 Million More Patients

Pharmacists can help fill the gap and save money, too.

By

R. Pete Vanderveen

Updated July 19, 2010 12:01 a.m. ET

Many worry there won't be enough physicians to care for the estimated 30 million more patients who will be insured under the health law passed earlier this year. The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates a shortage that could reach 150,000 doctors by 2025.

Pharmacists, who number almost 300,000 today, could help fill the gap. The men and women who complete a four-year graduate professional program are trained to master...